(AP) -- Because of California's lingering drought, millions of young California salmon could soon be migrating to the ocean via freeways instead of the Sacramento River.

The Sacramento Bee reports state and federal wildlife officials have announced a plan to move hatchery-raised salmon by tanker trucks should the river and its tributaries prove inhospitable for the fish.

Officials fear the rivers could become too shallow and warm to sustain salmon trying to migrate on their own.

They're keeping an eye on conditions and will be ready to implement the plan next month, barring heavy rains.

Salmon from the Coleman National Fish Hatchery on Battle Creek, a tributary of the Sacramento River, are usually released in April and May.

The trucking plan is similar to one carried out in the drought of 1991-92.